You can buy an invitation to Jay Cutler's 80s themed charity 30th birthday party on Gilt. Music by Billy Ocean!

2013 Bears Theme Song?

Beat to the 1 month to go post by a Canadian. For shame!

1 month till preseason boys!

idonije deal with the lions...

say it ain't so

I'll sorta miss Izzy, but it's time or the young kids.

Wootton had 7 sacks while only starting the last 8 games. And he's in his last year. Bears need to start him and find out what they have. Bevause he showed real potential last year.

And McLellin needs more opportunities than a #4 DE would get.

Izzy would have been wanted more at DT, and as general DL depth, than his old role IMO. I think that's why he chose a minimum deal with the Lions instead.

Looking for a Bear fan to do a team write up for the 2013 NFC North thread.

Similar to what was done in this NFC: West thread: http://forumserver.twoplustwo.com/46...s-now-1352740/

You can post your write up in this thread or PM me with it.

Getting unreasonably excited about this offense, going to be bittersweet if this season leads to Cutler getting 15M + long term with a few defensive players walking as a result.

I'm stoked about Trestman, and his up-tempo, get the ball out, Offense. He also has an infectious energy. The antithesis of "dead man walking" Lovie.
Yeah, it's going to be rough next season.
Realistically I think we have to concentrate on age.

Peppers will be 34.
Tillman will be 33.
Briggs will be 33.

Melton will be 27.
Jennings will be 30.
Wright will be 26.
Wootton will be 27.

As hard as it will be to cut anchor with legends like Briggs and Tillman (even Peppers) I think it will be necessary for the future.

Random Trestman Fact of the Day:

In Trestman's first season as coach of the CFL's Montreal Alouettes in 2008, he reduced the team's sacks from 68 the previous season to 22 with virtually the same offensive linemen.

I agree, having a competitive scheme on O for the first time in decades is exciting. I think moving on from Cutler is probably better for the future than overpaying him in the current market.

I go back and forth. He's above average in the league talent wise. If Cutler is in a competent system he could excel into a top ten QB. Those type of QBs don't grow on trees.

On the other hand if he gets through this year still struggling to match his production level to his talent level dump him. Which seems to be Emery's plan.

Bill Barnwell on Emery

Somewhat pointlessly, to put an arbitrary number on it, I'd say 90.
As in: if Cutler can't put up a QBR of 90+ then I just don't think he's the future and is not worth the money he'll cost.

Stafford has had 2 90+ years in his 4 seasons.
Jay has had none in big 6 real seasons.

He's had reasons/excuses since he came here. He should have none now.
He has one of the best #1's and RB's in the league, a legit TE, and what should be an actual OL. Oh and a legit QB/O guru as his head coach.

This season is time to s*** or get off the pot...

Shortly after catching a pass from Jay Cutler, Bennett turned up field as Hayden grabbed the tight end from behind and pulled him to the ground. Bennett rose and knocked down Hayden only to find several defensive players, including safeties Major Wright, Anthony Walters, and Chris Conte -- among others -- on top of him. Coaches and players quickly rushed to the middle of the field to break up the melee.

"It's hot, you know. I'm actually a mean person. I know you all think I joke around ... but I am not. I am very aggressive," Bennett said. "They are aggressive with me. I am aggressive with them. You come hard at me, I come hard at you all day. I don't back down for anything, anyone."

Bennett claimed he never threw a punch during the brawl, but he certainly appeared to be punching, as did several others involved.

After the fight, the team huddled in the middle of the field. Bennett walked away to one of the auxiliary practice fields, seemingly to regain his composure. Bennett stayed away for approximately three minutes, before rejoining the rest of his teammates.

I like it

I wouldnt be against letting go of Briggs after this year, but I'd continue to roll with Tillman. Elite corners age pretty well (Woodson, Winfield, Ronde are good examples) and he's just such an asset as a tackler and forcing fumbles; he could make a seamless transition to safety imo. Regardless, I think hes got at least 2-3 more very good seasons ahead of him at CB

Briggs contract expires after 2014 season, so I can see them getting that last year out of him.

Whereas the rest of them will have to be re-signed or released. Well, not Peppers, but his numbers are nuts next year.

I agree with Tillman, but if Jennings has a season like last year, given that he's 3 years younger, I just don't know. And then there's Melton, Wootton (who apparently looks great in camp) and Wright.

We're going to lose some D starters next year though, given we have 3 starting DB's, two starting LB's, and two starting DL on expiring contracts. And Cutler.

In huge news for this season: Packers moved Baluga to LT this offseason, to shore up the left side. But they have just lost him for the season with a torn ACL...

what is everyones prediction for this years record? im gunna go 9-7.

i hope they prove me wrong and just shock everyone and have a bomb season. cutlah needs a big year, i hope this is the year.

With their schedule I could see them being anywhere from 2-14 to 14-2 and wouldn't be surprised at either. It's too hard to predict with new coaches/scheme/offense etc. Especially with Vikings and Lions both getting better in the division.

I really don't see how the Lions or Vikings got markedly better. The Vikings ran as good as they possibly could last year to get to 10 wins and lost their best receiver who was perfect for their noodle armed QB. They almost have to regress.

And the Lions are well the Lions. They really just find ways to lose despite having talent.

I don't think I can say right now what the Bears record could be. They could be down, they could be better. Preseason should give some clue, but its going to take a big adjustment for both the defense & offense. I'm not optimistic that both will click.

Does anyone else get annoyed when every positive preview for the Bears says they were 7-1 before Cutlah was concust?

I'm not on the Vikings are the best team ever bandwagon but they did get better during the off season. They had a good draft. With the exception of Harvin they didn't lose anyone notable. Harvin was also hurt for a good part of the season-he only played 9 games.

The lions are sometimes lol bad but they are also very dangerous team. Yes they were 4-12 but they lost most of those games by 3 points or less, 3 of them in OT. They did get better this off season as they will at least have the threat of a running game now.

^disagree there, dangerous teams find ways to win, not lose. you look at the lions and they just keep on making costly mistakes time and time again. they will never learn with that head coach.

Also, why is everyone assuming DET will all of a sudden have a running game? Because they acquired the most over rated RB in history? He is a 3rd down back at best.

It won't be AP All Day running game but it will be much better than what it was last year. It will make for a more balanced team.